3 · Online booking · Checked 3 September 2026
Which clinic software fills a cancelled slot without you picking up the phone?
Short answer: All seven systems offer online booking. The difference is what happens at 4:10pm when a 5pm cancels. Appointbox is the only one that offers the slot to your waitlist automatically, first in line first, with a time limit on each offer, so nobody has to chase a fill.
You know the scene. A cancellation text lands mid-treatment. You finish, wash your hands, and start working through the "if anything comes up" list from memory. Two people say yes at once. Someone gets an awkward call back.
| System | Timed holds | Confirmation waits for deposit | Automatic refill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appointbox | Yes, signed one-click links | Yes | Yes, first on the list gets the first offer |
| Pabau | Not published | Deposits via Pabau Pay | "Waitlist" named, mechanism not published |
| Consentz | Not published | "Electronic Payments" tag | Not published |
| MERIDIQ | Not published | Free booking tier | Not published |
| ANS | Not published | "Easy online booking and deposits" | Not published |
| Faces | Not published | Yes, 1.8% + VAT + 20p fee | Not published |
Every route a patient can reach you by — web, email, phone, the assistant — books through one path. That's why nobody gets double-booked: there aren't two systems that failed to talk. A hold that isn't paid or confirmed in time clears itself and the slot moves on to the next person.
Questions
What happens if a patient doesn't pay the deposit in time?
The hold releases itself and the slot becomes bookable again. No manual clean-up.
Keep reading: All ten questions · Payments · Consent forms · Memberships & packages · Consultation forms · Treatment plans · Online booking in Appointbox